Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Here is a summary of the compatibility between AM2, AM2+, AM3, and AM3+ processors and
motherboards:
• You cannot install Socket AM2 or AM2+ processors in Socket AM3 motherboards.
• You can install Socket AM2 processors in Socket AM2+ motherboards.
• You can install Socket AM3 or AM2+ processors in Socket AM2 motherboards; however, the
BIOS must support the processor, the FSB will run at lower HT 2.0 speeds, and only DDR2
memory is supported.
• You can install Socket AM3 processors in Socket AM2+ motherboards, but the BIOS must
support the processor, and only DDR2 memory is supported.
• You can install Socket AM3 processors in Socket AM3+ motherboards, but the BIOS must
support the processor.
Although you can physically install newer processors in motherboards with older sockets, and they
should theoretically work with reductions in bus speeds and memory support, this also requires BIOS
support in the specific motherboard, which may be lacking. In general, you are best off matching the
processor to a motherboard with the same type of socket.
Socket F (1207FX)
Socket F (also called
1207FX
) was introduced by AMD in August 2006 for its Opteron line of server
processors. Socket F is AMD's first land grid array (LGA) socket, similar to Intel's Socket LGA775.
It features 1,207 pins in a 35-by-35 grid, with the pins in the socket instead of on the processor.
Socket F normally appears on motherboards in pairs because it is designed to run dual physical
processors on a single motherboard. Socket F was utilized by AMD for its Quad FX processors,
which are dual-core processors sold in matched pairs, operating as a dual socket dual-core system.
Future versions may support quad-core processors, for a total of 8 cores in the system. Due to the
high expense of running dual physical processors, only a limited number of nonserver motherboards
are available with Socket F.
Socket FM1
Socket FM1 was introduced by AMD in July 2011 for use by accelerated processing units (APUs -
CPU plus GPU) and CPUs based on the Llano core. These include the Ax-3xxx series APUs and some
Athlon II CPUs, as well as the E2-3200 APU. FM1 has 905 pins in a 31 × 31 grid and uses a PGA
socket similar to those used by previous AMD processors. Socket FM1 supports DDR3 memory. It
was replaced by Socket FM2.
Socket FM2
Socket FM1 was introduced by AMD in September 2012 for use by its Trinity series of APUs. These
include the Ax-5xxx series APUs. FM2 has 904 pins in a 31 × 31 grid and uses a PGA socket similar
